Emergency call system

ABSTRACT

An emergency call system by which a caller can automatically call a plurality of other parties to leave an emergency message, includes an emergency call unit having a memory for storing telephone numbers to be called and an emergency message, an emergency key, and a microprocessor for controlling storage of the telephone numbers and emergency message in the memory, after the dial tone is obtained, dialing the telephone numbers in sequence upon activation of the emergency key, starting a transmit of the emergency message to the dialed telephone number to automatically advise of an emergency after a predetermined time after the telephone number has been dialed and no busy signal has been detected during a predetermined time period, and restarting the transmit of the emergency message to the dialed telephone number to automatically advise of an emergency after detecting each ring-back from each telephone number.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] The present application is a Continuation-in-part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 09/282,378, filed Mar. 31, 1999 to the sameinventors, and entitled EMERGENCY CALL SYSTEM.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates generally to emergency callsystems, and in particular, to an emergency call system for aidingpersons in distress, for example, due to medical, fire, burglary orother emergencies.

[0003] Emergency call systems are known in which a person in distresscan get immediate help. Specifically, in such systems, the personpresses a button on a pendant which transmits a signal to an alarm inthe person's house. The alarm then sends a signal to a central station,and a person at the central station must then dial the telephone numbersfrom a prescribed list in order to obtain aid for the distressed person.

[0004] However, such an arrangement is relatively complicated andcostly. Specifically, such arrangement operates in a similar manner to acentral burglar or fire alarm in a house, and requires a separate,complicated wiring assembly for the house, at a considerable cost. Also,such a system requires that a central station be provided, andtherefore, the subscriber to such a system must pay a monthly fee forsuch service, adding further to the cost of the system.

[0005] Also, a problem with known systems is that if a central station,upon calling a telephone number for aid, continuously receives a busysignal, the central station may stop calling after a number of attempts,so that the person in distress does not receive aid.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to providean emergency call system that overcomes the aforementioned problems withthe prior art.

[0007] It is another object of the present invention to provide anemergency call system that eliminates the requirement for a centralstation.

[0008] It is still another object of the present invention to provide anemergency call system that eliminates the requirement for a separatewiring of the persons house.

[0009] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide anemergency call system that can be used with a conventional telephoneline.

[0010] It is still yet another object of the present invention toprovide an emergency call system that will continuously callpredetermined telephone numbers until an acknowledgment is received.

[0011] It is a further object of the present invention to provide anemergency call system that is inexpensive and easy to make, install andoperate.

[0012] In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, anemergency call system by which a caller can automatically call aplurality of other parties to leave an emergency message, includes anemergency call unit comprising a memory for storing a plurality oftelephone numbers to be called and at least one emergency message, aninput/output device for connecting the emergency call unit for making atelephone call, at least one emergency key, and a microprocessorconnected with the memory, the at least one emergency key and theinput/output device for controlling storage of the plurality oftelephone numbers to be called and the at least one emergency message inthe memory, obtaining a dial tone for making a telephone call, after thedial tone is obtained, dialing the telephone numbers in sequence uponactivation of at least one the emergency key, detecting each ring-backfrom each dialed telephone number, starting a transmit of the at leastone emergency message to the dialed telephone number to automaticallyadvise of an emergency after a predetermined time after the telephonenumber has been dialed and no busy signal has been detected during apredetermined time period, restarting the transmit of the at least oneemergency message to the dialed telephone number to automatically adviseof an emergency after detecting each ring-back from each dialedtelephone number.

[0013] The microprocessor repeats the restarting of the transmit foreach ring-back of each dialed telephone number until a predeterminednumber of ring-backs have been detected for each telephone number, andthereafter dials a next stored telephone number. Further, themicroprocessor repeats the dialing of the telephone numbers and startingand restarting the transmit to the dialed telephone numbers, until atleast one of all the read out telephone numbers have been dialed atleast once, and a predetermined time has elapsed.

[0014] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, anemergency call system by which a caller can automatically call aplurality of other parties to leave an emergency message, includes anemergency call unit comprising a memory for storing a plurality oftelephone numbers to be called and at least one emergency message, aninput/output device for connecting the emergency call unit for making atelephone call, at least one emergency key, and a microprocessorconnected with the memory, the at least one emergency key and theinput/output device for controlling storage of the plurality oftelephone numbers to be called and the at least one emergency message inthe memory, obtaining a dial tone for making a telephone call, after thedial tone is obtained, dialing the telephone numbers in sequence uponactivation of at least one the emergency key, detecting speech from eachdialed telephone number, and starting a transmit of the at least oneemergency message to the dialed telephone number to automatically adviseof an emergency after detecting speech from each dialed telephonenumber.

[0015] The microprocessor repeats the step of dialing the telephonenumbers and starting the transmit to the dialed telephone numbers, untilat least one of all the read out telephone numbers have been dialed atleast once, and a predetermined time has elapsed.

[0016] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, anemergency call system by which a caller can automatically call aplurality of other parties to leave an emergency message, includes anemergency call unit comprising a memory for storing a plurality oftelephone numbers to be called and at least one emergency message, aninput/output device for connecting the emergency call unit for making atelephone call, a first speaker and a first microphone through which acaller can communicate with the called party, a second speaker and asecond microphone through which a called party can communicate with thecaller, at least one emergency key, and a microprocessor connected withthe memory, the at least one emergency key and the input/output devicefor controlling storage of the plurality of telephone numbers to becalled and the at least one emergency message in the memory, obtaining adial tone for making a telephone call, after the dial tone is obtained,dialing the telephone numbers in sequence upon activation of at leastone the emergency key, starting a transmit of the at least one emergencymessage to each dialed telephone number to automatically advise of anemergency, and permitting oral communication between the caller and thecalled party through the speakers and microphones.

[0017] The microprocessor permits the oral communications between thecaller and the called party activating at least one predetermined keythrough the speakers and microphones. In one mode, the microprocessorpermits listening by the called party upon activation of one thepredetermined key by the called party and permits speaking by the calledparty upon activation of another predetermined key by the called party.

[0018] In another mode, the microprocessor automatically controlsspeaking and listening between the caller and the called party to changeover from one of the caller and the called party to the other of thecaller and the called party after preset periods of time. There isfurther a decode device connected with the microprocessor for decodingkeys activated by a called party.

[0019] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, anemergency call system by which a caller can automatically call aplurality of other parties to leave an emergency message, includes anemergency call unit comprising a memory for storing a plurality oftelephone numbers to be called and at least one pager number to becalled, and at least one emergency message, an input/output device forconnecting the emergency call unit for making a telephone call, at leastone emergency key, and a microprocessor connected with the memory, theat least one emergency key and the input/output device for controllingstorage of the telephone numbers and the at least one pager number to becalled such that a code is provided with the at least one pager numberto differentiate from the telephone numbers, and the at least oneemergency message in the memory, obtaining a dial tone for making atelephone call, after the dial tone is obtained, dialing the telephonenumbers and the at least one pager number in sequence upon activation ofat least one the emergency key, transmitting the at least one emergencymessage to each dialed telephone number to automatically advise of anemergency, and transmitting a telephone number of the caller to eachdialed pager number to automatically advise of an emergency.

[0020] In this case, the at least one pager number is stored with aprefix code to distinguish the number as a pager number.

[0021] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, acall system by which a caller can automatically call a plurality ofother parties to leave an emergency message, includes a call unitcomprising a memory for storing a plurality of telephone numbers to becalled, an input/output device for connecting the call unit for making atelephone call, a first speaker and a first microphone through which acaller can communicate with the called party, a second speaker and asecond microphone through which a called party can communicate with thecaller, at least one activation key, and a microprocessor connected withthe memory, the at least one activation key and the input/output devicefor controlling storage of the plurality of telephone numbers to becalled in the memory, obtaining a dial tone for making a telephone call,after the dial tone is obtained, dialing the telephone numbers insequence upon activation of at least one the activation key, andpermitting oral communication between the caller and the called partythrough the speakers and microphones.

[0022] The above and other objects, features and advantages of thepresent invention will become readily apparent from the followingdetailed description thereof which is to be read in connection with theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023]FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the emergency call system accordingto the present invention;

[0024]FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a keypad that can be used with theemergency call unit having a telephone incorporated integrally therein;

[0025]FIG. 3 is a top plan view of a keypad that can be used with thependant;

[0026] FIGS. 4A-4G are flow chart diagrams of the operation of theemergency call system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] Before discussing the present invention with reference to thedrawings, a brief overview of the invention will be provided. With thepresent invention, when a user is in distress or has an emergency, theuser depresses a key or button on an emergency call unit or on a pendantthat the user is wearing, with the button that is depressedcorresponding to the situation. For example, if the user has a medicalemergency, the user may depress a key E1 on the pendant. The pendantthen transmits a signal to the emergency call unit connected to atelephone line at the location of the user. The emergency call unitproceeds to dial, in sequence, a plurality of, for example, five, presettelephone numbers that are stored in a memory in the emergency callunit, with an optional sixth telephone number being 911. The unit playsa pre-recorded message regardless of whether the called telephone numberis answered or not, and then proceeds to call the next telephone number.In addition, the person being called has the option of communicatingwith the caller, replaying the message or stopping further delivery ofthe message to subsequent telephone numbers by pressing appropriate keyson the called person's telephone keypad.

[0028] Thus, rather than requiring a complicated alarm unit which ishard-wired into the user's house and rather than requiring the use of acentral station, the present invention automatically dials presettelephone numbers and delivers an emergency message for help. In theevent that nobody is available at any of the called telephone numbers torespond, the unit can then be set to dial the emergency telephone number911. Alternatively, the emergency telephone number 911 can be dialed ata different time in the sequence, such as the first, second, third or soon number that is dialed.

[0029] Referring now to the drawings in detail, an emergency call system8 according to the present invention includes an emergency call unit 10having a record/call switch 12 which connects to the telephone line ofthe telephone company (TELCO) through a conventional telephone jack, andto which an external telephone unit 14 can be connected through aconventional telephone line. Alternatively, telephone unit 14 can beformed integrally within emergency call unit 10. Record/call switch 12is controlled to switch between a conventional telephone/emergency calluse (CALL MODE) via telephone unit 14 in which telephone unit 14 can beoperated normally and in which emergency call unit 10 automaticallydials various preset telephone numbers during an emergency in order tosupply a prerecorded message, and a RECORD MODE in which varioustelephone numbers and messages can be recorded and whereby telephoneunit 14 is used to record and hear messages and insert telephonenumbers.

[0030] The switching of record/call switch 12 is controlled by aREC/CALL switch on the keypad. ON/OFF control circuit 18 is effectivelya power transistor which creates an off hook condition of telephone unit14, and supplies a signal corresponding thereto to microprocessor 16.

[0031] A message storage unit 20 is provided for storing recordedmessages and for supplying respective stored messages to the telephoneline through an audio interface 22, ON/OFF control circuit 18 andrecord/call switch 12. In response to activation by a user,microprocessor 16 sends a control signal to message storage unit 20 tocause message storage unit 20 to supply a pre-recorded message to thetelephone line when an emergency telephone number is dialed, as will beexplained in greater detail hereinafter. Alternatively, a user can playback a recorded message to check the same, and this is also controlledby microprocessor 16 which causes message storage unit 20 to supply therecorded message to an audio control circuit 24, which selects whetherthe audio message or a DTMF signal is supplied to the speaker, and thensupplies the analog signal to a loudspeaker 26 or telephone 14 builtinto emergency call unit 10.

[0032] The upper surface of the housing for emergency call unit 10contains a keypad 30 with a plurality of keys or buttons, as shown inFIG. 2. Specifically, there is at least one emergency key. In FIG. 2,three emergency keys are shown, namely, key E1 for a medical emergency,key E2 for a fire emergency and key E3 for a burglary emergency.However, the number of keys may vary within the scope of the presentinvention. Alternatively, one key can be provided which toggles throughthe different emergency situations, along with a separate send key (notshown) for sending a message corresponding to that key. In such case, aseach key is toggled, a message can be played to indicate the particularkey.

[0033] In addition, there is a record key REC for recording a message tobe stored in message storage unit 20, a playback key PLAY for playingback a pre-recorded message storage in message storage unit 20, a storekey STORE for storing telephone numbers and a key 911 for selecting anautomatic emergency number 911. There is also a REC/CALL toggle key forcontrolling operation in a RECORD mode or a CALL mode. Keypad 30 isconnected with microprocessor 16 for supplying appropriate signalsthereto, as will be described hereinafter.

[0034] The numeric keys 0-9 and the star (*) key and pound (#) key oftelephone unit 14 can be used to enter the appropriate digits and othercommands where telephone unit 14 is a separate unit from emergency callunit 10. Alternatively, telephone unit 14 can be formed integrally withemergency call unit 10, and in such case, numeric keys 0-9 and the star(*) key and pound (#) key are formed on keypad 30 of emergency call unit10, as shown in FIG. 2.

[0035] A telephone number memory 32 is also connected withmicroprocessor 16 and stores a plurality of, for example, up to fivetelephone numbers, although the number of telephone numbers that can bestored can vary within the scope of the present invention.Alternatively, telephone number member 32 and message storage unit 20can be combined in a single memory. Reference in the claims to a memoryfor storing the telephone numbers and emergency messages refers toeither a single memory or separate memories.

[0036] Power can be supplied to emergency call unit 10 by a battery 34or a power line via a conventional power adapter 36. The outputs ofbattery 34 and power adapter 36 are supplied to a power select circuit38 that selects power adapter 36 as a default, and which selects battery34 when there is no power from the output of power adapter 36. Theoutput of power select 38 is supplied to a power control circuit 40 thatsupplies power to microprocessor 16. In addition, power from powerselect 38 is supplied to record/call switch 12.

[0037] When an appropriate key E1, E2 or E3 from keys 30 is depressed,microprocessor starts reading out the telephone numbers one by one frommemory 32 and supplying the same to a DTMF encode circuit 42 which thensupplies an appropriate DTMF encoded signal for that telephone number tothe telephone line through audio interface 22, ON/OFF control 18 andrecord/call switch 12. At the same time, microprocessor 16 controlsmessage storage unit 20 to read out the appropriate pre-recordedmessage, which is also supplied to the telephone line through audiointerface 22, ON/OFF control 18 and record/call switch 12.

[0038] The supply of the message to the called person can occur in anyone of three ways, as follows.

[0039] In a first mode of operation, the pre-recorded message is readout even while the telephone being dialed is still ringing. For example,the system can wait a predetermined amount of time, for example, 3seconds, after the telephone number of the called party is dialed. Whena person picks up, the pre-recorded message may be in the middle of amessage, although the called person has the option to replay themessage. The pre-recorded message can be played once for each telephonenumber, so that the person picking up the telephone merely needs tocontinue listening to hear the entire message. In this manner, there isno delay from the time that the person answers the telephone. However,it is preferable for the message to be played twice once a telephone ispicked up or after an answering machine answers. Since the emergency andpre-recorded instructional messages are played twice, the called partywill hear both messages at least once. The advantage of this method isthat there is no need for any detection circuit in emergency controlunit 10 to detect when a telephone is answered, thereby greatlysimplifying the circuitry and rendering system 8 less costly. The calledperson also has the option of hitting a key to replay the message. Inthis regard, a jumper toggle key J1/J2 is provided. When depressed tothe J1 side, only one message is played, and when depressed to the J2side, the message is played twice.

[0040] In a second mode of operation, the system starts playing themessage a short time after the telephone number is dialed and no busysignal is detected in a predetermined time period. The system thendetects the ring-back signal from the next ring and starts replaying theselected emergency message a predetermined time, for example, 2 seconds,after the end of the ring-back signal. The reason for not requiring aring-back detection for the start of the message is that the calledperson can pick up the telephone before a first ring-back. If the systemrequired a ring-back to start playing the emergency message, noemergency message would ever be played.

[0041] In this case, the ring sequence is generally about 2 seconds ofring tone separated by 4 seconds of silence. If nobody answers and asecond ring-back signal is detected, the message that is being played ishalted, and is then restarted after the same predetermined time of 2seconds after the detection of the second ring-back signal. Thiscontinues until a predetermined number of, for example, five, ring-backsignals are detected. At this time, the system determines that there isnobody at the called telephone number that will answer and thereby hangsup and dials the next telephone number on the list. This method has theadvantage that none of the message is lost when the telephone is pickedup, since the message starts replaying after each ring-back signal isdetected. However, the called person does have the option of replayingthe message, as described in more detail hereinafter.

[0042] The third method of operation relies on the detection of speechfrom the called party to start the playback of the messages. In thiscase, the playback may start after a short delay of, for example, 1 or 2seconds, after the speech is detected. In the event that an answeringmachine is provided, the system can replay the messages twice afterspeech is detected. Thus, the first message will be lost to theanswering machine since the called party's message will be playing, butthe second playback will be recorded on the called party's answeringmachine. With this method of operation, the system will still detect thering-back signals and hang up after the detection of five ring-backsignals, with the next telephone number then being dialed.

[0043] Any conventional speech detection arrangement can be provided,for example, the speech can be detected by the microprocessor based onvarious factors, such as frequency of the signal, spacings betweenportions of the signals, etc.

[0044] As discussed above, when emergency call unit 10 dials out atelephone number from the telephone numbers stored in memory 32, and aperson picks up the telephone, the prerecorded emergency message isplayed. At such time, the called person can merely listen to the messageand then take appropriate action. Alternatively, the called person canrequest a playback of the message by pressing a predesignated key, suchas the “9” key on the person's telephone keypad. The person can also endthe playback of the pre-recorded message and send a signal to emergencycall unit 10 to prevent further telephone numbers being dialed, forexample, by pressing a predesignated key, such as the “8” key on theperson's telephone keypad. Also, the called person can set up acommunication with the caller through speaker 26 and a microphone 58connected with audio control circuit 24, by depressing a predesignatedkey, such as the “7” key. In such case, the tone for the number 7, 8 or9 is supplied over the telephone line and through record/call switch 12,ON/OFF control circuit 18 and audio interface 22 to a DTMF decodecircuit 44 which decodes the signal and supplies a signal correspondingthereto to microprocessor 16. If the “7” key has been depressed,communication is established between the parties. If the “8” key hasbeen depressed, microprocessor 16 stops the dialing of further telephonenumbers. If the “9” key has been depressed, microprocessor 16 controlsmemory storage to replay the prerecorded message.

[0045] As an alternative and more preferred embodiment, if the “8” keyis depressed by a called party, the system will continue to dial theremaining telephone numbers once after the called party that depressedthe “8” key disconnects. However, if no called party depresses the “8”key, the system will continue to dial all of the telephone numbers in arepeating sequence for a predetermined amount of time, for example, 15minutes, regardless of whether the message is received by any or all ofthe called parties. This provides some assurance to the caller indistress that one of the called parties has received and message andwill take some action. In other words, it provides an acknowledgmentthat the message has been received by a live adult party. For example, amessage received by an answering machine or a small child is a passiveresponse or answer to the emergency message and is of minimum value interms of responding to an emergency. Thus, if five answering machinesreceive the message, the system will still dial the telephone numbers insequence for the predetermined time in a further attempt to connect witha live person.

[0046] As discussed above, if the “7” key has been depressed,communication is established between the parties.

[0047] In one mode of operation, the called party controls the speakingand listening. Thus, for example, if the called party thereafter presses“1”, the called party can listen for a preset time period, for example,30 seconds, and if the called party presses “2”, the called party canspeak for a preset time period, for example, 30 seconds. Any time that“1” is pressed during the aforementioned time periods, the called partystarts a new 30 second time period for listening, and if “2” is pressed,the called party starts a new 30 second time period for speaking. Thereason that the called party has control over who speaks and who listensis for a number of reasons. First, the caller may be injured and may notbe able to press the buttons on the telephone. Also, the caller may bein panic, and a person in panic may not have the frame of mind todetermine which button to depress to speak or listen.

[0048] In another mode of operation, the operation of speaking andlistening is controlled automatically to change over from one to theother after preset periods of time. For example, after the emergency andinstructional messages are played out, a beep is provided whichindicates that the calling party is permitted to speak for 15 seconds,and then another beep is provided which indicates that the called partyis allowed to speak for 15 seconds. Two further 15 second intervals canbe provided thereafter, one for the caller and the other for the calledparty. After the time periods for speaking and listening have expired,the telephone call can be automatically terminated unless the “9” key isdepressed by the called party to request a replay of the messages.

[0049] In a further embodiment, if a called person depresses “7”, bothparties can speak to each other for a fixed period of time, or without atime limitation, as with a standard speakerphone. This can occur withoutan emergency message being played at all.

[0050] Although the present invention has been discussed with referenceto the depression of any of keys E1, E2 or E3 on keypad 30, theemergency call system 8 of the present invention can be activated from alocation remote from emergency call unit 10. For example, emergency callsystem 8 can include a pendant 46 or other remote unit worn by the userand having one or a plurality of keys 48. For example, since the onlytime that a caller may need the pendant is during a medical emergency,only key E1 is preferably provided thereon, as shown in FIG. 3.Alternatively, all three keys E1, E2 or E3 can be provided. In addition,pendant 46 includes a cancel key CANCEL in the event that key E1 isinadvertently depressed, as shown in FIG. 3. A similar key is preferablyprovided on the main unit also. Cancel key CANCEL can also be used bythe caller to shut down the entire system at any time. Pendant 46includes a transmitter 50 with an antenna 52 which transmits a signalcorresponding to the depressed key 48 to a receiver 54 of emergency callunit 10, having an antenna 56. Receiver 54 supplies the received signaldirectly to microprocessor 16 in order to start the above emergency calloperation.

[0051] Referring now to the flow chart diagram which continues acrossFIGS. 4A-4G, and initially to FIG. 4A, it is assumed that power foremergency call unit 10 is turned on and switch REC/CALL is in the CALLposition or RECORD position.

[0052] In step 100, in the CALL position when one of the emergency keysE1, E2 or E3 is depressed, power is applied to emergency call unit 10and in the RECORD position, by the toggle switch REC/CALL on the keypadbeing placed into the RECORD position, power is turned on for the RECORDMODE, whereupon microprocessor 16 is initialized in step 102, followedby initialization of control registers of microprocessor 16 in step 104,that is, the input/output (I/O) of microprocessor 16, and theninitialization of flags in the software stored in memory inmicroprocessor 16 in step 106. Thereafter, microprocessor 16 issynchronized with a 25 msec clock signal in step 108. Microprocessor 16then determines if the CALL/REC key is in the CALL position or in theRECORD position. In the CALL position, the user can use telephone unit14 in a conventional manner, and in addition, if one of the emergencykeys E1, E2 or E3 is depressed, microprocessor 16 will operate in theCALL MODE. In the RECORD position, telephone unit 14 is disabled fromthe telephone line, and if one of the keys REC, PLAY, STORE or 911 isdepressed, microprocessor 16 will operate in the RECORD MODE, as will beexplained hereinafter.

[0053] The RECORD MODE will first be described. If the CALL/REC key isplaced in the RECORD position, a message can be recorded or played back,telephone numbers can be stored or deleted, and a 911 telephone numbercan be enabled or disabled. In this mode, emergency call unit 10 isconnected with telephone unit 14 to enable use of numeric keys 0-9 * and# on telephone unit 14 for recording purposes, in step 112, in the eventthat telephone unit 14 is a separate unit.

[0054] Referring now to FIG. 4B, power to the latch circuit ofmicroprocessor 16 is then cleared in step 114, followed by reading of adepressed key in step 115. It is then detected in step 117 if thisdepressed key is an emergency key E1, E2 or E3. If yes, the process thencontinues to reading of one of the keys REC, PLAY, STORE and 911 upondepression of the same, in step 116. If no in step 117, the processreturns to step 104. In step 118, it is determined if the key that hasbeen depressed is the record key REC for recording a message to bestored in message storage unit 20. If yes, the process continues to step120 in FIG. 4C for the sub-process of recording a message to be sentduring an emergency.

[0055] In step 120, a predetermined message time out is set inmicroprocessor 16, that is, a maximum length of the message to berecorded. Then, in step 122, the message address is set in messagestorage unit 20 where the message to be recorded will be stored. Thiswill depend upon which key E1, E2 or E3 was initially depressed. Inother words, a first address is used for a message corresponding to keyE1, a second address for a message corresponding to key E2 and a thirdaddress for a message corresponding to key E3. Thereafter, in step 124,power is supplied to message storage unit 20 in order to begin storingthe message. While record key REC is maintained in a depressedcondition, the user records the message. In step 126, it is determinedif the message time out has been reached. If yes, the recording processis stopped, message storage unit 20 is powered down in step 129 and theprocess returns to the input of step 104 of FIG. 4A. If not, in step128, it is determined if the record key REC is still held down. Ifrecord key REC is released, the recording operation is completed and theprocess returns to step 104 after powering down message storage unit 20in step 129. If the record key REC is still held down, the processreturns to the input of step 126 to continue recording the message. Thisloop continues until there is either a time out in step 126 or therecord key REC is released in step 128.

[0056] Returning to FIG. 4B, if it is determined that the record keyRECORD is not depressed in step 118, the process continues to step 130where it is determined if the playback key PLAY has been depressed. Ifyes, the process continues to step 132 in FIG. 4D. Specifically, in step132, the message address corresponding to the emergency key E1, E2 or E3that has been depressed, is set up in microprocessor 16. Thereafter, instep 134, power is supplied to message storage unit 20, and then in step136, there is playback of the stored message from message storage unit20 corresponding to the emergency key E1, E2 or E3 that has beendepressed. After the message has been played back, message storage unit20 is powered down in step 138. The process then returns to step 106 inFIG. 4A. An alternate implementation is to use a slide switch forenabling or disabling 911.

[0057] Returning to FIG. 4B, if it is determined that the playback keyPLAY is not depressed in step 130, the process continues to step 140where it is determined if the key 911 has been depressed. If yes, theuser will then depress the star (*) key on telephone unit 14 or thepound (#) key on telephone unit 14 to enable or disable 911 as atelephone number to be called in the event of an emergency.Specifically, microprocessor 16 will read the star (*) or pound (#) keydepressed on local telephone 14 in step 142 in FIG. 4E. It is nextdetermined if the star (*) key has been depressed in step 144. If yes,911 is enabled as a telephone number to be called in the event of anemergency in step 146, and the process returns to step 104 in FIG. 4A.If no, it is next determined if the pound (#) key has been depressed instep 148. If yes, 911 is disabled as a telephone number to be called inthe event of an emergency in step 150, and the process returns to step104 in FIG. 4A. If no, the process returns to step 104 in FIG. 4A.

[0058] Returning to FIG. 4B, if it is determined that the key 911 is notdepressed in step 140, the process continues to step 152 where it isdetermined if the store key STORE has been depressed, in order to storetelephone numbers to be dialed in the event of an emergency. If no, theprocess returns to step 116 where the above processes are repeated.

[0059] Before discussing the following steps, it is noted that thesystem can be used to dial a telephone number of a residence, centrallocation or the like to leave an audio message, and can also send thecaller's telephone number to a pager, rather than leaving an audiomessage. An arrangement is required to distinguish between the two, sothat the system knows when to send an audio message and when to send apager telephone number. Generally, as will now be discussed in relationto FIG. 4, after the initial entering of the storage operation, atelephone number to be dialed for leaving an audio message or atelephone number to a pager is stored in any of five locations 1-5.

[0060] The caller sets the telephone numbers for leaving an audiomessage by first entering the storage location 1-5, followed bydepression of the pound (#) key, followed by entering of the telephonenumber to be dialed, and finally ending by depressing the pound (#) keyagain, that is, the sequence includes (storage location 1-5), #(telephone number), #. For setting a pager telephone number, after theinitial entering of the storage operation in step 152, the caller setsthis telephone number by first depressing the pound (#) key, followed bythe storage location 1-5, followed by depressing the pound (#) keyagain, followed by entering of the pager telephone number to be dialed,and finally ending by depressing the pound (#) key again. The telephonenumber that is sent to the pager is the caller's telephone number whichthe caller sets in the system in location 6. In other words, for a pageroperation, the distinction is the depression of the pound key (#) beforethe storage location.

[0061] Thus, if yes in step 152, the user will then depress a key instep 154 in FIG. 4F. In step 156, it is detected if this is the pound(#) key that has been depressed in order to set a pager telephonenumber. If yes in step 156, a pager flag is set in step 157 to denotethat the number to be stored is a pager number to be dialed. The processthen returns to step 154 where the user again depresses a key. In step156, it is detected if the key is a pound (#) key. Since it will be anumber key, the process continues to step 158 where it is detectedwhether the depressed key is a number from 1 through 6. If no, theprocess returns to step 154. If the user depresses 1-5, this correspondsto a storage location for a telephone number to be dialed. If the userdepresses 6, this corresponds to the telephone number of the user to besent to the pager. If yes, in the next step 160, microprocessor 16retrieves the next depressed key by the user, and then, in step 162,determines if this key is the pound (#) key. If not, the process returnsto step 160 until the user presses the pound (#) key. If yes, anytelephone number stored in a temporary storage area is erased during thenext step 164. The next key that is depressed is then read in step 166,and in step 168, it is determined if this key is the pound (#) key. Ifnot, it is determined if the depressed key is a numeric key 0-9 in step170. If not, the process returns to step 166. If yes, however, theprocess continues to step 172 where the digit 0-9 corresponding to thedepressed key is stored in a temporary memory buffer. In the next step174, it is then determined if eleven digits have been read. If not, theprocess returns to step 166 to read the next depressed key.

[0062] The process for reading all of the digits for a particulartelephone number ends either when the pound key(#) is depressed as thenext key in step 166 and detected in step 168, or when twelve digits orhowever many digits the telephone system requires, have been read, asdetected in step 174. Thereafter, an address in memory 32 is obtainedfor storing the digits of the telephone number (1-6) in step 176, andthe digits for that telephone number are stored in memory 32 at thataddress in step 178. The process then returns to step 104 in FIG. 4A.

[0063] Thus, with the present invention, a first telephone number whichprovides an audio message to a called telephone is inserted by the keys1-5, #, phone number, #, while a telephone number which dials a pagernumber is inserted by the keys #, 1-5, #, phone number, #. If the usermakes a mistake while entering a telephone number, the user can depressthe star (*) key to reset the operation for re-inputting the telephonenumber and location.

[0064] It will be appreciated that there is a variation in the method ofoperation of different paging systems. Some systems will provide asingle ring-back tone followed by three or four beeps. Others onlyprovide the three or four beeps. It may not be necessary to detect thebeeps at all. The present invention looks for a ring-back. If none isfound, the caller's telephone number will be sent to the pager after adelay of, for example, approximately 5 seconds. In this regard, it ispointed out that the time between ring-back tones is four seconds.

[0065] To delete a telephone number from memory 32, the first key thatis depressed and read in step 166, before any digit is read, is thepound (#) key. This is detected in step 168. Since no digits have beenentered, the telephone number corresponding to the location (1-6) iscleared and no new number is stored in place thereof, therebyeffectively deleting the telephone number from memory 32.

[0066] The above operations describe the RECORD mode in which theemergency messages and telephone numbers are recorded or deleted.

[0067] For the CALL MODE, REC/CALL switch 12 is set to the CALL MODE bytoggle key REC/CALL on keypad 30, and this is sensed in step 110. Inthis mode, one of the three emergency calling dialing and messageplaying sequences is initiated by depressing one of the three emergencycall keys E1, E2 or E3 either on emergency call unit 10 or on pendant46. Thereafter, emergency call unit 10 will automatically dial theassociated set of five telephone numbers, plus 911 if this is enabled.When dialing starts, a recognition signal, such as a tone or voice, isprovided to the caller to acknowledge the operation of the system. Aftereach telephone number is dialed, the associated emergency message isplayed, once or twice per user selection depending upon the position ofjumper key J1/J2, followed by a standard message that provides furtherinstructions to the called party. By depressing the appropriate key (7,8 or 9, for example), the called party can either converse with thecaller, acknowledge the emergency situation and shut down the emergencydialer, or repeat the emergency message. The middle operation willprevent other telephone numbers from being dialed, although this isoptional. Alternatively, one or more other numbers can still be calledonce. If no response is obtained by the emergency call unit 10 within aprescribed time, for example, 10 seconds, the emergency dialer will hangup and try the next telephone number in the sequence.

[0068] Specifically, after the DIAL mode is sensed in step 110, theemergency key E1, E2 or E3 is read in step 180 (FIG. 4A) and it isdetermined if a valid key has been depressed. Specifically, theemergency key E1, E2 or E3 should be held down for approximatelyone-half second. This operation applies power via power control 40 toemergency call unit 10. After power is applied, to be a valid keydepression, the emergency key must be held for an additionalpredetermined time period of, for example, 25-50 msec. in order todetermine that there has not been an accidental flick or depression ofthe emergency key. In this regard, microprocessor 16 senses theemergency key held down and then waits for this predetermined timeperiod of 25-50 msec. and checks again if the emergency key is stilldepressed. If not, it is determined to be an accidental flick of theemergency key, and thereby a false key whereby power is turned off instep 181 in FIG. 4A. If the emergency key is still depressed after thesecond check, it is determined to be a valid depression of the emergencykey, and the process continues to step 182 in which power is supplied toa latch circuit of the microprocessor 16.

[0069] Thereafter, referring to FIG. 4G, microprocessor is set in step184 to retrieve the first telephone number to be dialed. Emergency callunit 10 provides an off hook condition in step 185 to obtain a dialtone. Then, there is a delay of one second in step 186, followed by thestart of a five second timer in step 188. It is then determined if thereis a dial tone in step 190. If not, it is determined in step 192 if thefive second time period has expired. If not, the process returns to step190. If yes, emergency call unit 10 hangs up in step 194, waits twoseconds in step 196, and then returns to step 185.

[0070] If a dial tone is detected in step 190, the first telephonenumber to be dialed in association with the emergency key that has beendepressed, is retrieved from memory 32 in step 198, and then, thistelephone number is dialed in step 200.

[0071] It is then detected in step 201 whether the pager flag has beenset. If no, the process continues to step 202. If yes, the processcontinues to step 203 where the system waits a predetermined amount oftime, for example, up to five seconds to account for pager beeps. Then,the caller's telephone number stored in location 6 is sent to the pagernumber that has been dialed in step 205. The process then continues tostep 212.

[0072] In step 201, if the pager flag is not set, the appropriatepre-recorded emergency message from message storage unit 20 is read outin step 202 according to one of the three methods discussed above, andmay occur even while the telephone being dialed is still ringing.Preferably, the pre-recorded message is played once for each telephonenumber, and this is determined by the jumper key J1/J2, so that theperson picking up the telephone merely needs to continue listening tohear the message. In this manner, there is no delay from the time thatthe person answers the telephone. Generally, a message will start outwith words such as “EMERGENCY, EMERGENCY”, followed by the caller'spre-recorded message, so that the person picking up will not missessential parts of the message.

[0073] The advantage of sending the message while the telephone is stillringing is that there is no need for any detection circuit to detectwhether the called telephone is answered, thereby greatly simplifyingthe circuitry and rendering system 8 less costly.

[0074] However, it is also possible for system 8 to be set up so thatthe message is only played after a telephone is picked up or after ananswering machine answers, and this would require such detectioncircuitry, as discussed above.

[0075] Following playback of the recorded emergency message, a secondinstruction message is played back in step 204, which instructs thecalled person as to various options that can be taken by depressingappropriate keys. In the event of a pager number being dialed, thecaller's telephone number is sent to the pager instead of the emergencymessage in step 202 and the instruction message in step 204. A tensecond timer is then started in step 206 to give the called person anopportunity to take any of the various actions. In step 208, it isdetermined if the called person has depressed a key on the calledtelephone unit. If no, it is determined if the ten second time periodhas expired in step 210. If no, the process returns to step 208. If yes,emergency call unit 10 hangs up in step 212, and waits for a delay timein step 214. It then determines in step 216 if a total time period, forexample, one-half hour has elapsed. If yes, it hangs up in step 218. Ifno, it sets up microprocessor 16 to dial the next telephone number instep 220. Thereafter, the process returns to step 185. Alternatively,steps 216, 218 and 219 can be eliminated, and the system can dialforever until someone disables the system.

[0076] If a remote key has been operated by the called person in step208, it is first determined if the depressed key is the numeric key “7”,in step 222. If yes, microprocessor 16 connects emergency call unit 10for communication between the called person and the caller via speaker26 and microphone 58, in step 224, for a predetermined limited time suchas 90 seconds. For example, the called person can then assure the callerthat help is on the way. The caller can then pick up the telephone andspeak with the called person for as long as the caller desires. If thisoccurs, an off hook condition exists. It is therefore sensed in step 225if an off hook condition exists in step 225. If no, the caller can endthe communication but not the connection, by pressing the pound (#) keyon keypad 30. This is determined in step 226. If the pound (#) key ispressed, the process continues to step 234 discussed hereinafter. If thepound (#) key is not pressed, it is next determined if the predeterminedlimited time has expired in step 227. If no, the process returns to step225, and if yes, the process continues to step 234. Alternatively,instead of enabling communications, unit 10 can merely provide a signalsuch as an audible alarm or the like to the caller to indicate that thecalled person received the message. Alternatively, the above arrangementcan be provided where the caller can speak for 15 seconds, followed bythe called party speaking for 15 seconds, and so on.

[0077] In step 225, if the caller picks up the telephone, an off hookcondition is detected, and the process continues to step 229, where itis determined if the caller has hung up the telephone. If no, a loop isprovided back to the input of step 229 to periodically make thisinquiry. If the person has hung up, the process continues to step 231 todetermine if a predetermined time period of, for example, one-half hourhas elapsed. This step is provided in the event that the caller cannothang up the telephone that is picked up, and more than one-half hourpasses when paramedics or others come to the aid of the caller and hangup the telephone. In such case, since the caller has been helped, thesystem should not start dialing the emergency telephone numbers again,since this would create a false emergency call. Thus, if the time haselapsed, the process continues to step 228 which is discussedhereinafter, to end the call process. If the time has not elapsed, forexample, the caller hangs up within the time period, the processcontinues to step 212, to start dialing other telephone numbers on thelist.

[0078] In step 222, if it is determined that the numeric key “7” has notbeen depressed, it is then determined if the depressed key is thenumeric key “8”, in step 234. If yes, emergency call unit 10 hangs up instep 228, and then powers down the unit in 230 so that no furthertelephone numbers are dialed. This is because the message has beenreceived by one person who can take action. Alternatively, in apreferred embodiment, rather than powering down, emergency call unit 10can be programmed to dial the remaining numbers (or one or more furthernumbers) and leave messages. Preferably, if numeric key “8” is notdepressed by any of the called numbers, emergency call unit 10 willcontinue to dial through all of the numbers more than one time, forexample, two, three or more times until an appropriate response isreceived. The alternative operation limits this to dialing through thetelephone numbers only once. Preferably, regardless of which alternativeis used when numeric key “8” is depressed, a recognition signal, such asa tone or voice, will be sent to the caller to acknowledge that themessage has been received.

[0079] In step 234, if it is determined that the numeric key “8” has notbeen depressed by the called person, it is determined in step 236whether the numeric key “9” has been depressed. If yes, the processreturns to step 202 in order for the played messages to be re-played forthe called person.

[0080] If not, the process proceeds to step 237 where it is determinedif the numeric key “5” has been depressed by the caller. If yes, theprocess returns to step 228 to shut the system down. If no, the processreturns to step 210.

[0081] It is further noted that, at any time in the CALL MODE, if thecaller picks up the telephone to talk to a called person or to call aperson in a normal manner, the system is disabled since there is no dialtone in step 190, whereby emergency call unit 10 cannot dial anytelephone number.

[0082] As a further alternative, the system provides the option ofsending out a current message before the emergency message. This wouldbe provided by a 4-5 seconds delay before the emergency message is sent.Thus, for example, the caller can recite “My child just swallowed abone” and hang up, whereupon the current message followed by theemergency message would be sent to all dialed numbers.

[0083] As discussed above, emergency call unit 10 and telephone unit 14can be separate connected units, or alternatively, can be a singleintegral unit. Further, emergency call keys E1, E2 and E3 can beactivated from the emergency call unit 10 or from pendant 46.

[0084] Thus, emergency call system according to the present inventioneliminates the requirement for a central station, and eliminates therequirement for a separate wiring of the caller's home. Also, emergencycall system can be used with a conventional telephone line. With such anarrangement, emergency call system is inexpensive and easy to make,install and operate.

[0085] Having described a specific preferred embodiment of the inventionwith reference to the accompanying drawings, it will be appreciated thatthe present invention is not limited to that precise embodiment, andthat various changes and modifications can be effected therein by one ofordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope or spirit ofthe invention as defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An emergency call system by which a caller canautomatically call a plurality of other parties to leave an emergencymessage, including an emergency call unit comprising: a memory forstoring a plurality of telephone numbers to be called and at least oneemergency message, an input/output device for connecting said emergencycall unit for making a telephone call, at least one emergency key, and amicroprocessor connected with said memory, said at least one emergencykey and said input/output device for: controlling storage of saidplurality of telephone numbers to be called and said at least oneemergency message in said memory, obtaining a dial tone for making atelephone call, after the dial tone is obtained, dialing said telephonenumbers in sequence upon activation of at least one said emergency key,detecting each ring-back from each dialed telephone number, starting atransmit of said at least one emergency message to said dialed telephonenumber to automatically advise of an emergency after a predeterminedtime after the telephone number has been dialed and no busy signal hasbeen detected during a predetermined time period, restarting thetransmit of said at least one emergency message to said dialed telephonenumber to automatically advise of an emergency after detecting eachring-back from each said dialed telephone number.
 2. An emergency callsystem according to claim 1 , wherein said microprocessor repeats saidrestarting of the transmit for each ring-back of each dialed telephonenumber until a predetermined number of ring-backs have been detected foreach telephone number, and thereafter dials a next stored telephonenumber.
 3. An emergency call system according to claim 1 , wherein saidmicroprocessor repeats said dialing of said telephone numbers andstarting and restarting the transmit to said dialed telephone numbers,until at least one of: all said read out telephone numbers have beendialed at least once, and a predetermined time has elapsed.
 4. Anemergency call system by which a caller can automatically call aplurality of other parties to leave an emergency message, including anemergency call unit comprising: a memory for storing a plurality oftelephone numbers to be called and at least one emergency message, aninput/output device for connecting said emergency call unit for making atelephone call, at least one emergency key, and a microprocessorconnected with said memory, said at least one emergency key and saidinput/output device for: controlling storage of said plurality oftelephone numbers to be called and said at least one emergency messagein said memory, obtaining a dial tone for making a telephone call, afterthe dial tone is obtained, dialing said telephone numbers in sequenceupon activation of at least one said emergency key, detecting speechfrom each dialed telephone number, and starting a transmit of said atleast one emergency message to said dialed telephone number toautomatically advise of an emergency after detecting speech from eachsaid dialed telephone number.
 5. An emergency call system according toclaim 4 , wherein said microprocessor repeats said step of dialing saidtelephone numbers and starting the transmit to said dialed telephonenumbers, until at least one of: all said read out telephone numbers havebeen dialed at least once, and a predetermined time has elapsed.
 6. Anemergency call system by which a caller can automatically call aplurality of other parties to leave an emergency message, including anemergency call unit comprising: a memory for storing a plurality oftelephone numbers to be called and at least one emergency message, aninput/output device for connecting said emergency call unit for making atelephone call, a first speaker and a first microphone through which acaller can communicate with the called party, a second speaker and asecond microphone through which a called party can communicate with thecaller, at least one emergency key, and a microprocessor connected withsaid memory, said at least one emergency key and said input/outputdevice for: controlling storage of said plurality of telephone numbersto be called and said at least one emergency message in said memory,obtaining a dial tone for making a telephone call, after the dial toneis obtained, dialing said telephone numbers in sequence upon activationof at least one said emergency key, starting a transmit of said at leastone emergency message to each said dialed telephone number toautomatically advise of an emergency, and permitting oral communicationbetween the caller and the called party through the speakers andmicrophones.
 7. An emergency call system according to claim 6 , whereinsaid microprocessor permits said oral communications between the callerand the called party activating at least one predetermined key throughthe speakers and microphones.
 8. An emergency call system according toclaim 6 , wherein said microprocessor permits listening by the calledparty upon activation of one said predetermined key by the called partyand permits speaking by the called party upon activation of another saidpredetermined key by the called party.
 9. An emergency call systemaccording to claim 6 , wherein said microprocessor automaticallycontrols speaking and listening between the caller and the called partyto change over from one of the caller and the called party to the otherof the caller and the called party after preset periods of time.
 10. Anemergency call system according to claim 6 , further comprising a decodedevice connected with said microprocessor for decoding keys activated bya called party.
 11. An emergency call system by which a caller canautomatically call a plurality of other parties to leave an emergencymessage, including an emergency call unit comprising: a memory forstoring a plurality of telephone numbers to be called and at least onepager number to be called, and at least one emergency message, aninput/output device for connecting said emergency call unit for making atelephone call, at least one emergency key, and a microprocessorconnected with said memory, said at least one emergency key and saidinput/output device for: controlling storage of said telephone numbersand said at least one pager number to be called such that a code isprovided with said at least one pager number to differentiate from saidtelephone numbers, and said at least one emergency message in saidmemory, obtaining a dial tone for making a telephone call, after thedial tone is obtained, dialing said telephone numbers and said at leastone pager number in sequence upon activation of at least one saidemergency key, transmitting said at least one emergency message to eachsaid dialed telephone number to automatically advise of an emergency,and transmitting a telephone number of the caller to each said dialedpager number to automatically advise of an emergency.
 12. An emergencycall system according to claim 11 , wherein said at least one pagernumber is stored with a prefix code to distinguish the number as a pagernumber.
 13. A call system by which a caller can automatically call aplurality of other parties to leave an emergency message, including acall unit comprising: a memory for storing a plurality of telephonenumbers to be called, an input/output device for connecting said callunit for making a telephone call, a first speaker and a first microphonethrough which a caller can communicate with the called party, a secondspeaker and a second microphone through which a called party cancommunicate with the caller, at least one activation key, and amicroprocessor connected with said memory, said at least one activationkey and said input/output device for: controlling storage of saidplurality of telephone numbers to be called in said memory, obtaining adial tone for making a telephone call, after the dial tone is obtained,dialing said telephone numbers in sequence upon activation of at leastone said activation key, and permitting oral communication between thecaller and the called party through the speakers and microphones.